‘Sprint’ Identity crisis for NASCAR

UPDATE #2 Sprint/Nextel is expected to make some sort of announcement next week at Daytona about its future plans for the name of the Cup series. Nextel probably will remain part of the title. The Nextel name isn't leaving the merged company, so why would the executives want to eliminate it from its NASCAR sponsorship? However, some type of name change is coming. The question is when. It would take a huge amount of work to change all NASCAR and track logos in time for the 2007 season. Dallas Morning News

06/17/06 Word is that Sprint will, within a week or so, acknowledge a change in the name of NASCAR's top series for 2007, mandating Sprint Cup or Sprint/Nextel Cup. Sprint acquired the assets of its walkie-talkie rival last year and promised an eventual name change in order to make use of Nextel's top sports marketing property. Speed Channel

06/16/06 With NASCAR's premier series slated to become the Sprint Cup Series due to the merger of Nextel and Sprint, the name is eerily close Sprint Car Series, which could be a cause for concern with regard to fan confusion.

However, that should not be a problem for the rich France family that is working toward monopolizing USA motorsports. Perhaps they will just buy up all the Sprint Car Series out there and change their name.